Yankees games on the radio will never be the same. John has officially retired from being the voice of the Yankees on the radio since he took over in 1989. For 36 years, we were blessed to be able to experience the game through the voice of John. John did it his way, and there was nothing better. Historic call after historic call will forever be embedded in our brains. John, and only John, could do it like he could. Sterling has been a fixture for the Yankees for over 3 decades and blessed us with his deep pipes and called a ballgame like no other. At 85 years young, and after 64 years in broadcasting, John knew it was time to walk away from the game he loved. At one point, he called 5,060 straight games, blowing away both Gehrig and Ripken's records! His final game was a Yankees' 8-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on April 7, 2024. Together, he and Suzyn Waldman, radio partners since 2005, entertained fans through thousands of innings, describing a ballgame unlike any duo ever. They both complimented each other in ways that helped the marriage last so long. I am one who chose many times to listen to the ballgame over watching it. Why? Simple. John and Suzyn were about entertainment and they called like they saw it. They never held back, good and bad, for either team. Yet, they were the biggest Yankees fans around. The perfect summer day was doing yard work and listening to John and Suzyn call a game. That can never be replaced. The highlight of any day was, "Stepping up to the microphone one again is the voice of the New York Yankees. Here is John Sterling. Well, Suzyn, I thank you." Never again will we experience the greatest call ever....."Yankees win! Thhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhe, Yankees win!" John and Suzyn kept us entertained with baseball, music, broadway, food or any topic to keep fans engaged, even in a 10-0 blowout. "Bernie goes Boom!" will never be echoed again, and that's okay. Those memories have been implanted inside us forever. As John moves into official retirement, his legend will never fade away. Forever will I hear "Thhhhhhe 2-1 pitch is on the way." to "That ball is high. It is far. It is gone!" The passion that was echoed through the mic touched us all. John, I miss you, but never forget you. Wishing you all the best in your retirement. You have impacted the game of baseball in ways you will never know. From Jeter's 3,000th hit to Aaron Judge's historic 62nd blast, it was your voice that carried us all. The only good news is that Suzyn Waldman, a trailblazer for woman and people around the world, will be there to carry the torch forward for you and all Yankees fans forever. John and Suzyn, the best duo ever! Thank you John! Simply put......"We Thank you!"
